James L. Swanson

Early life and education Swanson was born on February 12, 1959. He graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor's degree in history and from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law with a J.D. degree. He held a number of government and think-tank posts in Washington, D.C., including at the United States Department of Justice. He served on the advisory council of the Ford's Theatre Society.

Career Swanson was an Abraham Lincoln scholar and a member of the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. His main area of research was on the Lincoln assassination. He also served in the U.S. Department of Justice. It was finally adapted into a miniseries without Simon and Fontana's involvement in 2024, created by Monica Beletsky.

Death Swanson died from cancer in Chicago, on April 21, 2025, at the age of 66. His death was announced by The CATO Institute that same day.